But the past is not always a guide to future and all organizations, and businesses have their natural arc which is hard to extend or re-invent when the time comes.

But it also seems that a lot of that success resulted from a focus on user experience, when UX was not thought about by technology-push companies, and a focus on consumer design for products that had been utilitarian.

Basically Apple reacted to the consumerization of electronics far more viscerally than others and it largely came from the top down.

Now that the rest of the industry has caught on to those things the playing field has been leveled and Apple is, at least in part, living on brand momentum. And brand momentum without new successes to propel it runs out at some point.

@Tom: Steve Job was indeed great. But if you look at wonderful achievements of Apple products, it must be much bigger team at work with many Steve Job like genius working in background. I wish they get same freedom as they got with Steve.

I think that Apple in part has been able to charge a premium because of its "cool factor." Really, how many other products in thsi category have "fan boys?" So yes indeed, it will be interesting to see what happens if/when Apple starts competing on price--does that make a brand no longer the cool player it once was?

@Peter, Apple had the advantage of being the first player but that advantage is long gone so coming with new and innovative iPhone will not add much to their leadership. But i heard that they are coming up with iWatch (or something) which might replace the normal watch. It will be interesting to watch how they perform in this traditional marketspace.

_hm: Like you, I have no Apple products, but I respect and admire the innovation behind the Mac, iMac, iPod, iPhone, iPad and other products. Alas, that was then, back when Steve Jobs drove the company with the passion of a madman. When he passed, many wondered if Apple's innovative era had ended. Now we hear rumors of an iWatch. Really? Is that it? That sounds like one too many iGimmicks, already. Like many fans, I have to wonder what else is coming from the magic kingdom, or if the magic is gone just as Apple is building a multibillion-dollar castle.

@peter: It will be innovative, path breaking novel products. What are those? Apple team is so innovative that their dreams and imaginations are far ahead of time that it exceeds that of rest of us sum together.

Look at history of three decades. I do not have any Apple product, but I venerate Apple and its designer as demi-God.

@_hm
"Soon Apple will have more of product for others to follow."
Can you elaborate on what you mean by this.
Are you predicting more iterations of (hi hum) iPhone ...or do you think some fresh and innovative products are about to.come from Apple?